Issue 66, December 12, 2006
MACBOA Newsletter

In this Issue:

• Remarks from the Supervisor of Officials: Donnee L. Gray
• MACBOA is pleased to make available interviews with the Officials of the Year
• NCAA Men's Basketball Rules - Interpretations And Corrections
• QUIZ TIME! Let’s Get into the Rule Book! Quiz/Test Number #2
• Basketball Officials Association (BOA) Items from Lionel Butler, President
• Submitting Articles for MACBOA Consideration
• MACBOA Volunteers
• Newsletter Contact/Information

The MACBOA Newsletter is a periodic newsletter publication of the Mid-Atlantic College Basketball Officials Association (MACBOA). MACBOA provides basketball officiating services to several colleges and universities in the Maryland - Washington, DC area. The Association has a membership of approximately 200 men and women officials. Our membership consist of men and women who work Divisions I, II, and III basketball.  We pride our Association on providing quality and professional service.

The usefulness and survival of this newsletter is going to depend on the participation of subscribers and professionals alike. Please help by submitting personal stories, experiences, and articles of general interest to the MACBOA community.

The MACBOA Newsletter is made possible by the kind support of our sponsors.  We thank our sponsors for making the newsletter and other programs possible. Please visit our web site at http://www.macboa.org.  As always, please visit our sponsors and thank them for keeping MACBOA operational.

Remarks from the Supervisor of Officials: Donnee L. Gray

All Officials and Observers:

OFFICIALS: We have had a few occurrences of officials arriving late to games. The MACBOA policy is “not to be late” for any game assignment. All officials are required to be at the game site at least 90-minutes prior to game time.  Please allow extra time for traffic delays, accidents, flat tires, and so forth.

As stated at the September clinic, twenty-five percent of the staff will not return for the 2007-08 season due to violations of their contract. The decision to continue to be a part of the MACBOA staff rests solely on you.

There have been several intentional fouls, technical fouls and ejection calls on coaches and players. Whenever this occurs, YOU MUST CALL ME ON MY CELL: (301) 775-4088. If you do not reach me, leave a DETAILED message as to what occurred and how it was handled. Be sure to leave a telephone number(s) so that I can call you back with any questions or need for clarification. Beginning immediately, not calling me will result in a fine that will be imposed upon the entire officiating crew.

OBSERVERS: Tommie Scott has started the process of assigning games via The Arbiter. Please stay in close contact with Tommie in regards to the schools where you wish to observe and your availability.

Once posted, game assignments are available for you to accept or decline for three days. If you do not respond, the game assignments are deleted. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE CHECKING THE ARBITER REGULARLY FOR YOUR ASSIGNMENTS.

EVERYONE: You should have a hard copy of the MACBOA officials and contacts roster for immediate use or emergencies.  As staff information changes regularly, I would suggest you print an updated copy every couple of weeks.

I have had the opportunity to observe a few games thus far and am pleased with the officiating. We have also received a few e-mails from Athletic Directors commenting on the professionalism of staff.

Please continue to work hard, be courteous and professional.

 Vedia and I wish Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Donnee

MACBOA is pleased to make available interviews with the Officials of the Year

Athena Argyropoulos, 2006 MACBOA Female Official of the Year

Why did you choose to become a sports official?
My decision to get into officiating basketball was financial.  I was going through a divorce, needed extra income and one of my very close friends Craig Tartasky who was a basketball referee thought that I would be a pretty good official based on my experience in playing collegiate basketball and the fact that it is probably the best paying part-time job anyone can have.  I really had no idea of what I was getting myself into. I still remember my first day of rookie class and not wanting to spend the money to buy the uniform until I was sure that I passed the test; well, I did pass the test and had to put a rush order on the uniform so it would arrive in time for my floor test. I still remember that day as well, my pants were too big, (no time to alter them) so I ran up and down the court with my pants safety pinned together in order to keep them up and the safety pins kept popping and jabbing into my waist as I ran!!  Well, I passed the test and the rest is history.

Describe your officiating experience?
I have had a great experience; I have also had some not so great experiences, but overall I would say that officiating has been an integral part of my life for the past 20 years.  I was afforded many opportunities along the way that most officials will never get to experience; probably the most memorable was getting involved with USA Basketball and traveling to Colorado Springs to referee the National Team Trials and the Olympic Team Tryouts, then to actually referee the preliminary game to the Olympics, USA vs China in 1996.  Those experiences and the people I have met along the way are memories that will never fade.  I have also had the opportunity to work numerous Division I Conferences and had my share of NCAA tournament games, and more importantly made some very close and dear friends that I will be friendly with for the rest of my life.  I originally got into this "avocation" for financial reasons and it was financially rewarding (where that money went I have no idea!!) but the reality was that as I moved up the ladder it became an extension of the sport; most of us played the game and when we retired from playing, officiating was an extension of that sport and to be able to succeed at it and be considered one of the "go-to" officials if you will was a great honor.  My good experiences definitely outweigh the bad, but with the sweet comes the sour, like getting snowed in for 3 days in Buffalo NY, or rupturing not one, but both Achilles!!  
 
What is unique about the Mid-Atlantic College Basketball Officials Association?
The uniqueness of this conference is that it is run by an official!!  Most of the other conference assignors at least at the Division I level are administrators, some with no officiating experience what so ever.  MACBOA was also the first one that I have been involved with to have a dedicated website for officials.

Please share any thoughts, suggestions and advice to officials?
My advice to anyone who is considering advancing in this game, is realize it can be a game and you are not in control of your destiny.  You can control what you are responsible for:  physical conditioning, knowledge of the rules, administrative management, etc.  You also need to strategize your development in picking the right camps and the right time in your officiating career to attend those camps, and I would highly suggest a mentor who can give you an objective observation of your talents and what direction you should head in.  Listen and learn.  Most of all, do not begrudge an official for their success, we are all on the same team, be a great partner.  The cream always rises to the top, but if you are passed over, sometimes it has nothing to do with your ability, it is not always what we do between the lines, it is what we do outside of the lines. Most importantly, do not sacrifice your family or friends and do not let officiating take over your life, balance it with everything else you do because when you decide to retire, the only thing you have left is your friends!!  
 
Any closing thoughts?
I was honored to receive this award especially  being chosen by my peers.  I hope I did not get too preachy in my responses, I have a lot of passion for the game, but also realize in looking back that it pretty much ruled my life, I gave up a lot to officiate and advance and I'm not sorry, but I could have made some better choices on how to manage my career, but ce la vie.  

Craig Bradley, 2006 MACBOA Male Official of the Year

Why did you choose to become a sports official?
I decided to become a basketball official at age 20 when I was in college.  I wanted a way to generate some income, stay active, and have a good time.  Since my father was a 3 sport official at the high school and college levels, I had seen first hand what it took to become an official.  So, I registered with the PIAA, hitch hiked 13 miles, took and passed the test.  I did not know at the time how challenging, consuming, and enjoyable this passion would become.

Describe your officiating experience?
Officiating has been an enriching experience.  Geographically, officiating has allowed me to travel to many small communities that I am sure I would never have otherwise visited.  The travel has assisted in my acclimating to each new area.   From small country schools in western Pennsylvania and friendly parochial schools in rural Virginia to sold out raucus 4000-seat D-I venues, the diversity of settings has made the travel most interesting.

Even better than experiencing new areas, meeting thousands of people (coaches, players, officials, and even spectators) has positively effected my life.  Thanks to these people, I have grown as an official and a person.  Patience, conflict resolution, organization, promptness, and responsibility are just a few of the positive traits that I have developed.  The best relationships have come with the partners that I have joined in battle.  Donnee Grey, Les Jones, Larry Rose, Charles Waugh, Parris Carson, Danny Doss, Joe Mitchell, "Pete", Willie Jones, Owen Hannah, "Jap", Jim Williamson,  and Dick Staver are just a few of the many partners who have helped me learn to officiate.  Their examples on and off the court and during lengthy discussions on the way home from tough contests provided the perfect classroom for growth.   While our families have often paid the price of our being absent, officiating has allowed us to become a member of a much larger fraternity. 

 Finally, officiating has allowed me to develop a deeper relationship with my father.  Having shared similar experiences, we have had a lot to talk about.   To this day, we talk on the phone after every game.  We discuss calls (good and bad), coaches, situations, and partners.  He knows many of my partners long before he meets them.  During the long rides home from a distant game, these conversations are a welcome gift.   During last year's NJCAA National Tournament, my dad drive the 5 hours to observe, critique, and share the experience with Fred German and me.  Those were 4 days that none of us will soon forget. 

What is unique about the Mid-Atlantic College Basketball Officials Association?
My time in MACBOA reminds me of my time in the CIAA.  While the league and the competition for assignments is keen, a sense of brotherhood courses throughout the organization.  Officials care about each other, handle their business in a professional manner, and attempt to do their very best every night.  Unlike some other groups, most MACBOA officials seek observations, or critiques, so they might improve their game.  This attitude is in part generated by the way Donnee interacts with the staff.  He has high expectations, and he wants the best for every member.

Please share any thoughts, suggestions and advice to officials?
Especially for newer officials, set realistic goals, and hit the ground running.  Is the price you are willing to pay equal to your aspirations?  Is the reward worth paying the price?  If so, work hard, stay positive, get a mentor, and enjoy the ride.  Keep your priorities straight, take care of your family, and never sell your integrity along the way; it is all that you really have.

Any closing thoughts? 
I wish to thank MACBOA for my selection as 2006 Male Official of the Year. With the number of quality officials and good people in the organization, I was quite surprised and humbled by this award.   As another year is already underway, I look forward to meeting new partners, renewing old friendships, and going into battle with the best.

NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules - Interpretations And Corrections

November 28, 2006

Correction:
Rule 3-4.12, page B.R. 68 to read: A player who has been withdrawn or replaced by a substitute may re-enter the game at the next opportunity to substitute, provided that the game clock has been properly started after the withdrawal or replacement.

Play:
Player A-1 is airborne and his momentum is carrying him out of bounds. A-1 while airborne, requests a timeout. The official inadvertently blows his whistle to grant A-1’s request.

Ruling:
By rule, the official shall not recognize this request. The inadvertent whistle caused the ball to become dead. Play shall be resumed at the point of interruption by awarding the ball to Team A, the team in control, at a designated spot nearest to where the ball was located. Before placing the ball at Team A’s disposal for a throw-in, the official is permitted to inquire as to whether Team A still wants a time out.

Play:
The ball is at A-1’s disposal for a throw-in. A-1 passes the ball to A-2 who catches the ball while airborne in his front court. A-2 lands with one foot in his front court followed with the other foot landing in his back court.

Ruling:
Legal play. A player shall be permitted to first secure control of the ball after a throw-in, while both feet are off the playing court in his front court, and land with one foot or both feet in the back court.

Play:
B1 deflects the ball away from A1 while (a) A1 is dribbling the ball or (b) A1 is passing the ball to A2. A1, in an attempt to recover the ball fouls B1.
Ruling:
In (a) and (b), A1 has committed a team control foul. The foul shall be charged to A1, and the ball shall be awarded to Team B at a designated spot nearest to where A1’s foul was committed.

QUIZ TIME! Let’s Get into the Rule Book! Quiz/Test Number #2

The following questions must be returned to Donnee L. Gray, MACBOA Supervisor of Officials postmarked or sent via email no later than December 23, 2006 to be in good standing and to be eligible for consideration of MACBOA assignments.

In answering the questions, answers must include supporting rulebook citation. Officials working men's or women's basketball may answer the questions according to the respective codes.

Cut-and-paste the quiz and e-mail your test with answers to dgray@macboa.org.

Faxed submission will not be accepted as meeting the requirement.  Use E-mail or regular postal mail! 

PRINT NAME: _________________________________________________

CHECK ONE: ______ Men's Official ______ Women's Official

MACBOA Basketball Rules Quiz #2

1. A-1’s pass is deflected out of bounds.  The timer mistakenly fails to stop the game clock.  The mistake is recognized while the ball is at the disposal of Team A.  The official rules that the timing mistake may be corrected because it was recognized before the ball was touched inbounds or out-of-bounds by a player.  Is the official correct?
    
   
2. A-1 reports and is beckoned onto the playing court.  As A-1 enters the court, the referee notices that A-1’s undershirt, wrist band and head band are a different color than the dominant color of the game jersey.  The referee directs A-1 back to the bench because he is not complying with the uniform code.  Is the official correct?
    
   
3. A confrontation occurs while the players are on the floor for a loose ball.  The officials control the action and then use the courtside monitor to determine if a fight occurred.  After reviewing the play, it is determined no fight occurred, but they observed A-1 contacting B-1 with an elbow, which was not originally called.  The referee assesses A-1 with an intentional personal foul.  Is the referee correct?
    
   
4. A-1 is fouled and awarded two free throws.  Prior to attempting the free throws, Team A is granted a timeout.  During the timeout and before the warning horn, B-6 reports to the scorers’ table to enter the game.  The official denies B-6 from entering the game because multiple free throws are to be attempted.  Is the official correct?
    
   
5. A-1’s try for goal near the three-point line is successful.  The official signals a three-point goal.  As Team B is advancing the ball up the court, the coach from Team B is at the table requesting a conference with the official in order to rectify a correctable error. B-1 now tries for goal near the three-point line, and the official rules this a two-point try.  Team B coach appeals both rulings.  After reviewing the plays on the courtside monitor, it is determined that the coach is wrong on both appeals.  The referee charges Team B with two timeouts.  Is the official correct?
    
   
6. A-1’s throw-in is touched by B-1, who has one foot touching the boundary line.  The official rules this a throw-in violation and awards Team B the ball at the spot of the original throw-in.  Is the official correct?
    
   
7. A-1 catches the ball with one foot on the playing court, jumps off that foot, and lands on both feet simultaneously.  A-1 picks up the right foot and places it back on the floor before releasing the ball on a try.  The official rules this a legal play.  Is the official correct?
    
   
8. Please name the Corporate Sponsor who was recently featured on a recent metropolitan Washington DC regional news broadcast for having the Best Sweet Potato pies?
   
   
9. Please name the Corporate Sponsor who manages the MACBOA webpage.
   
   
10. Please name the Corporate Sponsor who has sponsored a previous MACBOA Golf   Extravaganza and provides financial planning services.     

Basketball Officials Association (BOA) Items from Lionel Butler, President

On behalf of the BOA Board of Directors, I would like to thank all members who have sent in their membership dues for the upcoming year. If you have not sent in your dues, please feel free to contact me or any member of the BOA Board of Directors.

Your check or money order for $15 should be made out to: MACBOA-BOA and send to:

Mr. Chris Vail
9584 Tarvie Circle
Bristow, VA 20136

Please let us know of any MACBOA member news that we should send cards, flowers, etc. The BOA is there for our membership and we can only act if we know of events. Events include sick members and their family members, condolence notices, as well as communication about professional appointments and selections to conferences and leagues.

The BOA is here to service our members and we look forward to partnering with our members in programs and initiatives.  We will be proactive in communicating to you throughout the season to promote activities during the season and beyond.   Any members wanting to be a part of any special interest committees please contact any member of the BOA Board of Directors.

Again, the BOA will to improve its communication between members and WE need your participation.

Please use the BOA!

Submitting Articles for MACBOA Consideration

Thank you for your interest in submitting an article for consideration on www.macboa.org.

We accept well-written features, how-to articles, "how I did it" success stories, tips and hints, motivational articles and other articles that will help our audience gain knowledge and succeed in their officiating avocation.

We do not accept articles that are primarily advertisements. However, you may place a biographical section at the end of your article. It should be no more than 30 to 40 words in length. It would be nice if you could include a 60x60 picture of you in .gif or .jpeg format.

Below are instructions for submitting your article to the MACBOA.org web site. We ask that you read the terms of your Agreement with MACBOA.org carefully.

Please note: We only accept submissions from the original author of the articles or a publicist hired by the copyright owner to submit material here. By submitting material, you acknowledge that you are legally entitled to distribute the work and to allow it to be redistributed. (If you are a book publisher or public relations firm with copy to distribute, please include a note to that effect at the top of the article you submit.) We do not pay for articles, and do not accept articles that are primarily advertisements. However, you may place a brief resource box and contact information (but no ads) at the end of your article.

To send your article, click on the "Article Submission Form" and answer the questions and then copy and paste your submission into the space provided. We have provided a copy of the form below. Please be sure your by-line appears below the title of the article. Click on the submit button to complete the process and or cut-and-paste the completed form and your article to macboa1@aol.com.

Reward, challenge, appreciation, stimulation, writing, reading...rarely thanked or noticed.

These are some of the attributes of the well hidden job of MACBOA Newsletter Volunteer. Are you interested in working behind the scenes (screens?) to help get information to members? MACBOA is looking to grow our ranks by a couple of folks and thus, we're soliciting volunteers.

What do you do? Read postings. Write articles, membership news, coordinate interviews, cultivate sponsor relations, etc. Write e-mail back and forth amongst us to establish communication, and guidance to keep this list as valuable as possible for our membership. Although we're virtual, our presence is sensed, we hope...and appreciated, although rarely acclaimed.

We haven't a job description, nor do we know what knowledge, skills, and abilities are required, but some that will come in handy are:

• having the ability to write
  
• being thick skinned, not thick headed
  
• being able to express your opinions, while being open minded
  
• having at least a free hour or two a week caring for the membership
  

Please respond directly by e-mail to: irelacion@aol.com

HOW TO CONTACT THE NEWSLETTER COORDINATOR

MACBOA welcomes and encourages news and information for the periodic newsletter. Please submit all materials to address letters of comment, article proposals and queries, or news items to:

Ike Relacion: (301) 371-8520
E-mail: irelacion@aol.com

MACBOA Newsletter Information

MACBOA, INC provides the MACBOA newsletter. MACBOA is a nonprofit organization providing information about membership news. The MACBOA.ORG Newsletter's contents may be quoted and reused as long as attribution is included with the reprinting and/or posting.

MACBOA nor its guest contributors shall be liable or responsible to any person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be have been caused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas contained, suggested, or referenced in this newsletter

MACBOA does not share its email lists. We value and respect your privacy.

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